Jocelyn VerVelde, a graduate of Central Michigan University and native of Oostburg, Wis., joined the Sports Information staff at Tennessee Tech University as a Sports Information Coordinator in July. VerVelde majored in sports studies at CMU and minored in journalism.

VerVelde, 23, is the primary contact for the Tech volleyball, women's basketball and track & field teams, and will work with all 14 Golden Eagle programs. She also provides daily updates on TTUsports.com, provides content and updates for Tech's social media including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, contributes to "unlimited" magazine, and provides photography and video support.

A 2008 graduate of Sheboygan (Wis.) County Christian High School where she was a standout player in volleyball, basketball and soccer, she began her collegiate career at North Dakota State University and was a member of the volleyball team.

After two years, including a medical redshirt season, she transfered to Central Michigan where she played her final three seasons for the Chippewas, with current Golden Eagle volleyball head coach Dave Zelenock as one of the assistant coaches.

During her final year at CMU, she worked as a student assistant in the sports information office, and was the primary contact for the men's and women's track & field teams. She worked with the athletics website, did writing, statistics and research, provided Twitter and Facebook updates, and was on the gameday staff for football and men's and women's basketball.

As a player at CMU, she served as team captain of the 2011 Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship team, which earned the program's first NCAA tournament bid.

VerVelde credits her family for her passion for sports. Her mother, Margaret, currently coaches for Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club and officiates collegiate and high school volleyball matches. Her father, Paul, is a former four-time state champion high school soccer coach in the state of Wisconsin.

Her four younger siblings also act as inspiration for VerVelde’s sports passion. Her brother Jesse, 21, will be starting his second season as the starting placekicker for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point football team, while brother Josiah, 19, will be entering his first season with NAIA Division II National Champion Cardinal Stritch University in Mequon, Wis. Her two sisters, Jo-Leigh, 17, and Janeese, 15, are looking to defend their state high school volleyball title in the upcoming season.